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Sydney Australia

Planning a holiday in Sydney? As well as bringing you the best boutique hotels and stylish romantic retreats that Sydney has to offer, we've put together a short introduction to what you can expect from a trip here…

Price information

Unless you have specified dates for your stay, prices used in this search represent the lowest nightly rate available for a double room in the next 21 days. Any prices have been converted from the hotels’ local currency using the latest exchange rates available from openexchangerates.org.

Cityscape Bridges, beaches, botanical gardens

City life Get out and stay out

Sassy Sydney is a supermodel of a city – and she knows it. The eye-popping setting, sprawled around one of the world’s best looking harbours, keeps tourists slack-jawed.

Locals, however, are more likely to be found ogling fashion-forward labels in Paddington’s glam boutiques or downing cocktails in party-hard Darlinghurst. There’s a buzzy urban feel here (it’s the nation’s advertising, media and fashion hub), so visitors may find the pace frenetic, but you can also hone your surf skills at a brace of beautiful beaches. Fancy more nocturnal action? The vibrant gay scene clubs till dawn and even straights aren’t backwards in coming forwards.

Do go/Don’t go

Sydney thrives in summer, so any time from December through to March is especially lovely.

Planes Sydney’s Kingsford Smith Airport (www.sydneyairport.com.au), 10 kilometres south of the city, is Australia’s busiest. International and domestic terminals are a four-kilometre bus or train ride apart.

Boats Regular ferries depart from Circular Quay (www.sydneyferries.info), with popular routes including Taronga Zoo and Manly on the North Shore, Rose Bay and Watsons Bay in the Eastern Suburbs, and Darling Harbour and Parramatta to the west. There’s a ferry information office at Wharf 4.

Trains Central Station is Sydney’s main rail terminus, with a network of inner-city, intercity and country destinations (www.cityrail.info).

Automobiles Walking around Sydney is a pleasure, and it’s compact enough that you shouldn’t need a car. If you’re planning a trip out of town though, it’s worth having your own wheels. Hire a car at the airport, which has desks for all major companies.

Taxis These are plentiful in Sydney and easily hailed in the street, but if you need to call one try Silver Service Cabs (13 31 00) or Premier Cabs (13 10 17). Drivers don’t expect tips but often need directions – so it’s best to have an idea of where you are going beforehand.

Visit our US site

If you’re based in the US, we have a dedicated Mr & Mrs Smith site tailored to your travel needs. Head over to smithhotels.com and get the same hotel collection, special offers and guaranteed best rates, plus prices in dollars, local phone support and specialised content.